Folding bedstead



(No Model.)

F. N. POTTER.

FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

No. 489,554. Patented 0011.28, 1890.

FIGJ- FIG UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK N. POTTER, OF ELKIIART, INDIANA.

FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,554, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed February 18, 1890. Serial No. 340,919. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK N. POTTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkhart, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented certain. new and useful Improvements in Folding Bedsteads, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to folding bedsteads in which there is ahead-piece that forms the support for the folding body when folded up.

My invention consists in automatic means for looking or unlocking the folding foot-legs when the body is unfolded or folded up.

In order that my invention may be fully understood,I willproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure I is a side view of a folding bed stead, showing the body and legs folded up. Fig. II is an enlarged detail view of a portion of one of the brackets, showing the locking device in full lines in the position it assumes when the leg is folded. Fig. III is a similar view, but showing the leg when folded.

In the drawings, A is the headpiece; B, the folding body, and C the folding legs, (only one of which is shown, both being alike and locked in the same way.) In these parts per Se no novelty is claimed.

D is a bracket, to which the leg C is pivoted at c. There are similar brackets on each side of the bedstead; but it is only necessary to show one. The upper end of the leg 0, when the body B is brought down for use, bears against a shoulder E of the bracket to prevent theleg being drawn out, as shown in Fig. III.

Within a recess d in the bracket D is a rocking key F in the shape of a link, which is pivoted on a pin Gpassing through one side. The opening or slot f of the key constitutes a raceway for the gravitating ball or weight H. The recess d of the bracket is closed by a cover or plate D.

The locking device being in the position shown in Fig. I, when the folding body B is brought down to folding position by reason of the ball II rolling in the raceway f from the inner end of the latter to the outer end, the key or link rocking on its pivot as the ball passes by it. The rocking of the key will bring its outer end in contact with the portion 0' of the leg, the ball or weight holding the same in contact therewith to prevent the leg folding in until the folding body is swung up, when the ball will return to the inner end of the raceway, causing the key to return to its former position and permitting the leg to fold in byits own weight.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a support, a folding body connected therewith, a folding leg connected with the body, a rocking key contiguous to the upper end of the leg, and a gravitating weight arranged in a raceway of said key, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of a support, a folding body connected therewith, a folding leg connected with the body, a slotted rocking key pivoted to the body contiguous to the upper end of the leg, and agravitating ball arranged in the slot of the key, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of a support, a folding body connected therewith, a bracket fixed to the body and having a shoulder, a leg pivoted to the bracket, a rocking key provided with a raceway and contiguous to the upper end of the leg, and a gravitating weight within the raceway, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

FRANK N. POTTER.

Vitnesses:

E. 0. 1310mm, CHAS. W. FISH. 

